California Ag Network

Category: Nut Industry

  • Study Shows Pistachios May Be Helpful in Weight Loss Plan

    Nut-loving consumers looking to lose a few pounds can feel better about keeping pistachios at hand as a result of a new study.  The study, published in the July 20 issue of Nutrients, shows adding U.S. pistachios to the diet can contribute to weight loss, in the context of a calorie-restricted diet in a behavioral intervention, and may contribute additional health benefits such as lowering blood pressure.  While several scientific studies have shown pistachios are helpful in maintaining a healthy weight, or will not cause weight gain, this is the first to examine the role of pistachios as part of a weight loss plan in a real world setting.

    Researchers at the University of California, San Diego investigated whether U.S. pistachios could be used as part of a weight loss program in a study with 100 healthy, overweight and obese individuals.  All participants received general dietary and behavioral weight loss advice, and instruction on ways to increase their physical activity.  Half of the participants included 1.5 ounces of pistachios in their daily diet (Pistachio group) and the other half did not (Control group).  Researchers measured the participants’ health information, diet and lab tests for cardiovascular disease risk at the beginning and end of the 4-month study.

    According to the researchers, both groups lost about 5 percent of their body weight and both significantly decreased their waist circumference and body mass index (BMI).  Waist circumference and BMI are indicators of not only obesity, but whether or not you may be at risk for diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.  In addition to these measurements, there were added benefits to the Pistachio group, including lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased fiber intake and lower consumption of sweets than the Control group.  The Pistachio group also had higher blood levels of the antioxidant carotenoids of lutein, alpha- and beta-carotene and a healthier ratio of poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids.

    According to the lead researcher, Cheryl Rock PhD, RD, “this study adds to the body of evidence that U.S. pistachios can be a component of a weight loss diet, can increase intake of key nutrients, and can promote a healthy dietary pattern”.

    Studies have shown U.S. pistachios have a unique set of nutrients that have multiple health benefits.  In March, it was announced pistachios are a complete protein, containing all 9 of the essential amino acids required to sustain health for those 5 years and older.  This was discovered when the protein quality of pistachios was analyzed by the University of Illinois.  They have mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids which are beneficial for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, contain the phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin which have protective properties for the eyes from blue light and ultraviolet light, and are a good source of fiber and vitamin B6.  For more information and studies, visit AmericanPistachios.org.

  • Diamond of California® Debuts Their First-Ever Snack Walnuts Line

    Diamond of California®, the century-old producer of “Made for Homemade” specialty nuts, announces today the launch of its newest innovation, ready-to-eat Snack Walnuts. Available now in-stores nationwide, Diamond of California® Snack Walnuts are a satisfying superfood snack that respects the goodness of walnuts. Each walnut is naturally processed to remove bitterness, roasted, simply seasoned, and packaged in a ready-to-eat resealable pouch, for a nutritious, delicious, and affordable (SRP $3.99/4oz bag) on-the-go snack. The eight “Made for Snacking” walnut flavors were inspired by modern kitchen pantry items and carefully crafted using only real and non-GMO ingredients that limit sugar and sodium and complement the natural flavor profile of walnuts. Available flavors: Hot Honey, Himalayan Pink Salt, Teriyaki & Wasabi, Salted Dark Chocolate, Hickory Smoked Bacon, Chile Lime, Cinnamon Churro, and Sweet Maple (unique to Walmart flavor).

    Diamond of California® has been a trusted provider of specialty nut products for at-home bakers and cooks for the last century, but over the years we have learned that our nuts are also being consumed as snacks on their own,” said Craig Tokusato, CMO of Diamond of California®. “This inspired and challenged us to open our own recipe books and provide better for you ready-to-eat snacks compared to many of today’s alternatives, which often take nutritious nuts but load them up with sodium, processed sugars, and unrecognizable ingredients.”

    In an effort to offer a wholesome snack, Diamond of California® decided to rethink snack nuts from the ground up. While leading brands mostly feature almonds, pistachios, and peanuts, Diamond of California® opted for their California-grown walnuts, rich in protein, fiber, antioxidants, and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) Omega-3. Walnuts have been researched for their potential role in a variety of health outcomes, including cognitive function, heart health, cancer, diabetes, weight, gut health and reproductive health (California Walnut Commission, 2020). With a nutrient-dense base, Diamond of California® then focused on perfecting their production process and flavors. Walnuts are known for their rich and buttery taste but also for their bitter notes, so Diamond of California® pioneered a natural process that eliminates naturally-occurring surface oils and tannins that contribute to the bitterness. After the walnuts are processed, they are roasted or glazed with real kitchen pantry ingredients, using real spices, seasonings, and sugar alternatives like coconut palm sugar. This roasting and glazing step also helps to bring out the nutty flavor notes and enhances the naturally crisp texture of the walnuts. The walnuts are then cooled and packaged in a ready-to-eat resealable bag, to be enjoyed on their own as snacks on a road trip, at work, or for a day at the park, and as ingredients in homemade creations such as salads or charcuterie boards.

    Diamond of California® Snack Walnuts are now available nationwide at select locations of major retailers like Walmart, Save Mart, Lucky California, Cub, and Bartell Drug. Kroger, Lidl, Hannaford, Big Y, and HyVee as well as Amazon will begin rolling out in August. More retailers, including Shaw’s will be added going into the holiday season.

    To learn more about Snack Walnuts or for more information on Diamond of California® visit their website(https://www.diamondnuts.com) or follow along @DiamondNuts on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

    About Diamond of California®

    Diamond of California®, the century-old producer of specialty nuts, has worked with walnut growers since 1912, making the company one of the earliest pioneers of the farm-to-table movement. The company packages fresh walnuts, almonds, pecans and other culinary nuts in whole, sliced, diced, and chopped forms. Their most recent innovations, Ready-to-Use Nut Pie Crusts and Ready-to-Eat Snack Walnuts, available in 8 flavors, can be found in the baking and snack aisles respectively. Headquartered in Stockton, California, Diamond of California® is located in the state’s heartland, where most of its orchards lie. Diamond of California® believes that nuts make good food even better. That’s why they’ve offered fresh, high quality and great tasting nuts that are truly made for homemade, for over 100 years.

  • New Employer Playbook & Standards for Determining when Employees Can Return to Work

    Almond Alliance of the California — Today, Governor Newsom announced that the State has issued a new Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening, which contains guidance regarding all of the following:

    • Requirements employers must satisfy to provide safe and clean work environments. This guidance expands on the existing industry specific guidance and checklists, the most current versions of which can be viewed using the following link: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/

    • What to do if there is a case of COVID-19 in the workplace. Importantly, this section contains the most current guidance to help employers determine when employees should be permitted to return to work after they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 (pages 13 – 15).  Please note that the CDC’s guidance has changed since the last time our office provided our General Guidance materials.  In addition to reviewing the standards set forth in the Employer Playbook, you should look at the websites of all Counties in which you operate, as the Counties are permitted to issue varying standards.  Employer reporting obligations and employee leave rights (paid and unpaid) are also described in this section.  You should document each employee’s COVID-19 circumstance, your response, the employee’s leave rights and standard you used to allow the employee to return to work. 

    • Worker education topics and enforcement of mask requirements. The guidance summarizes the COVID-19-related issues employees are expected to understand, which establishes the criteria for your training obligations.  Links are provided to assist in your training efforts.  You should also continue to refer to the industry-specific guidance for your operation.  Be sure to keep records of all of your training sessions, including who attended, the topics discussed and all written materials distributed to your employees.The Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening can be viewed using the following link:  https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/employer-playbook-for-safe-reopening–en.pdf.  The Employer Playbook contains many links to additional websites, which should also be reviewed as applicable to your operation.

      As we have explained in previous emails, although the documents issued by the State are described as “Guidance” you should treat the standards described in the documents as Orders and ensure that your operation and employees strictly comply with all applicable requirements.  The Labor Commissioner’s Office, CalOSHA, ABC and other agencies are conducting enforcement visits to determine whether businesses are complying with the applicable standards and are issuing citations to those who are not.

      In addition to the Employer Playbook, Governor Newsom announced he is working with the Legislature and key stakeholders to expand critical protections for employees, including paid sick leave.  The Governor’s announcement can be viewed using the following link:  https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/07/24/governor-newsom-announces-new-supports-for-california-workers/.

      Today’s announcements, and the new information contained in the Employer Playbook, is a reminder that the requirements and standards with which employers must comply continue to evolve on a regular basis.  Please be sure to always check the relevant websites for the most current information and contact your counsel anytime you have a question about how to respond to a COVID-19 issue in your operation.

      If you have any questions regarding this industry alert please contact staff@almondalliance.org.

  • $8 Million for Navel Orangeworm Sterile Insect Program

    The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee recently released an appropriations bill that included $8 million for the facility in Phoenix, AZ that is currently being used to rear sterile navel orangeworm (NOW) for aerial release in California. The facility is part of an area-wide pilot program that the pistachio and almond industries have been interested in developing. For 2020, Congress appropriated $6 million to keep the facility open and start the pilot program. This year, APG led an effort to continue and increase that funding, which included a delegation trip back to Washington, D.C. right before COVID-19 forced much of the city to shut down. This additional $2 million will allow the pilot program to not only continue to conduct research on sterile moth releases, but also begin to expand the breadth of the research. With positive momentum in the House, APG will now turn to lobbying efforts in the U.S. Senate.

    About the Facility
    The Phoenix Sterile Fly Facility was originally commissioned by the cotton industry to raise sterile pink bollworm for area-wide releases in an effort to suppress the pest. The program was even more successful than planned and the cotton industry was recently able to declare pink bollworm eradicated. Now that the facility has excess capacity, pistachio industry leaders have begun breeding sterile NOW for aerial release in California. — By American Pistachio Growers

  • Managing Strategic Deficit Irrigation with a Pressure Chamber

    As we hit the final stretch of the growing season, effective management of strategic deficit irrigation can make all the difference between a stressful or successful harvest. Maintaining optimal tree stress for your current growing conditions as we approach harvest is critical, as too much stress can negatively impact kernel size and not enough stress can make it difficult to achieve a uniform shake.

    With that in mind, growers should look to the pressure chamber tool to understand the actual stress their trees are experiencing. While this tool can be used year-round, it’s especially helpful during this critical time of the growing season.

    Why?

    Because the pressure chamber is the     only tool that quantifiably measures water stress felt by your tress. Knowing your applied water, ground truthing and evapotranspiration rates are important factors to understand for thorough irrigation management, but without the pressure chamber you will get an incomplete picture of what’s really happening in the trees.

    Growers who are not familiar with using a pressure chamber may feel like it’s an overwhelming challenge to use it in the field. However ABC, through its online     Irrigation Station video series, has removed the guesswork of pressure chamber use for growers with a 3-minute episode demonstrating the basics of its operation. More detailed information on how to use a pressure chamber is also available on page 126 of the Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum, a comprehensive manual of irrigation and scheduling practices, as well as in ABC’s latest irrigation resource, a one-pager that breaks down each step of how to use a pressure chamber.

    Using a pressure chamber will allow growers to effectively implement strategic deficit irrigation via the baseline method. Baseline values for pressure chamber readings have been calculated by the University of California using mathematical models, which have been validated through field experiments in almond orchards.

    A baseline value indicates how many “bars” a fully watered almond tree will read on the pressure chamber. One bar is equal to about 1 atmosphere of pressure or 14.7 psi. However, bar readings on the pressure chamber will vary depending on weather conditions such as temperature and air relative humidity. Growers should consult Table 2 on page 136 of the     Continuum for a baseline chart of readings under different weather conditions.

    It’s important to understand that irrigating to the baseline is not the goal with strategic deficit irrigation; rather, it’s about irrigating at what is called “bars below baseline.” It’s also important to note that the pressure chamber measures in negative bars of tension, so irrigating “below baseline”  will mean a higher reading on your pressure chamber gauge.

    Growers can watch the     Strategic Deficit Irrigation episode of The Irrigation Station for more information about irrigating at bars below baseline using a pressure chamber. —By Almond Board of California

  • Resources for Employers Amidst COVID-19 Outbreaks at Ag Facilities

    Almond Alliance of California – There have been multiple COVID-19 outbreaks at agricultural facilities and operations throughout the State.  Several of the outbreaks in agricultural areas have been reported in farmworker housing facilities, fields and processing facilities.  CalOSHA, Department of Health Services and the Attorney General’s office have been engaged in situations with multiple positive cases.  Many of our peer agricultural organizations and individual employers have received letters from the Attorney General’s office reminding about the need to provide guidance to our membership on the health and safety of the agricultural workforce.

    Many grower and employer associations, local farm bureaus, and health and safety compliance businesses have shared resources with their members to help agricultural operations conduct an examination of workplaces to ensure that adequate measures are being undertaken to protect the health and safety of agricultural workers.

    Below are resources for almond growers, huller shellers and processors.  As these materials are updated, the Almond Alliance will distribute revisions. Please post COVID-19 safety materials in Spanish and English throughout the workplace.  Please call the Almond Alliance team if you have any questions or need additional information.   

    Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace:

    This guidance and checklist are for use by employers experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 in their workplace. Employers should be proactive and keep in mind that identification of even a single positive case among employees may quickly develop into an outbreak. As outbreak circumstances and work practices vary, employers may need assistance from their local health department (LHD) to plan and coordinate a response to the outbreak that meets the needs of the workplace.

    • Industry Guidance:  Agriculture and Livestock: Click Here.
    • COVID-19 General Checklist for Agriculture and Livestock Employers: Click Here.

    COVID-19 Safety Posters and Materials for you to Place in the Workplace in English and Spanish to Reduce the Risk of Employee Exposure in the Workplace:

    • CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) English Poster: Click Here.
    • CDC Síntomas del coronavirus (COVID-19) Spanish Poster: Click Here.
    • CDC Share facts about COVID-19 English Factsheet: Click Here.
    • CDC Comparta la información sobre el COVID-19 Spanish Factsheet: Click Here.
    • OSHA Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus English Poster: Click Here.
    • OSHA Diez Medidas que Todos los Lugares de Trabajo Pueden Tomar para Prevenir la Exposición al Coronavirus Spanish Poster: Click Here.

    Cal/OSHA Guidance and Resources:

    • COVID-19 Daily Checklist for Agricultural Employers: English | Spanish
    • COVID-19 General Checklist for Agricultural Employers: English | Spanish
    • Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees: English | Spanish
    • COVID-19 Worker Protection Video – Infection Prevention for Agricultural Workers (Video Transcripts:  English | Spanish | Mixteco

    What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers:

    This document recommends a consistent approach in how a company can continue operations in the event an individual has tested positive, given the global COVID-19 pandemic and high transmissibility of this respiratory virus from person to person.

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers in Your Food Production, Storage, or Distribution Operations Regulated by FDA: Click Here.

    Food Industry Recommended Protocols When Employee/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19:

    This summary, derived from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, outlines key steps that employers and workers can take to help stay open, prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, and support continuity of essential operations if workers are diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, or show symptoms associated with COVID-19: Click Here.

    Additional Materials:

    • Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan: Click Here.
    • Testing Strategy for Coronavirus (COVID‐19) in High‐Density Critical Infrastructure Workplaces after a COVID‐19 Case is Identified: Click Here.

    Note: This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Almond Alliance of California does not advise on the application of law to an individual’s or company’s specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.

  • USDA Confirms Record 3 Billion Pound CA Almond Crop Forecast

    The California Almond Objective Measurement Report, published today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), estimates that the 2020 crop will be 3.00 billion meat pounds, up 18% from the 2019 crop production of 2.55 billion pounds.[1] This estimate is even with the 3.00 billion pounds estimated in the California Almond Subjective Forecast, published in May 2020.

    According to the 2020 Objective Report, the average nut set per tree is 5,645, up 21% from the 2019 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set is 5,621, up 27% from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.51 grams, down 2 percent from the 2019 average weight.

    “This year’s crop is proof that California is the perfect place to grow almonds,” said Holly A. King, Kern County almond grower and Chair of the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. “Perfect weather during bloom, coupled with the steps almond growers have taken to ensure our orchards provide a healthy environment for honey bees and other pollinators, resulted in the abundant crop we are seeing on the trees up and down the Central Valley.”

    Recent disruptions in global trade due to COVID-19, and ongoing trade disputes and negotiations with China and other key markets extending into the year, have caused some short-term challenges with the current crop, but the long-term outlook remains positive.

    “As a shelf stable and nutritious food enjoyed by consumers around the world, we’ve weathered these disruptions in pretty good shape,” said Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott. “Domestic and export shipments are up year-to-date, and we expect global demand to be stronger than ever as we market this year’s record crop.”

    While the Subjective Forecast provides an initial estimate of the 2020/2021 crop, the Objective Report is based on actual almond counts and uses a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. In Dec. 2019, ABC’s Board of Directors approved a modified sampling protocol to further improve the accuracy of USDA-NASS’s reporting. From this year forward, the Objective Report will include measurements from 1,000 target orchards throughout the state (an increase of 150 samples from 2019) and provide nut counts on not one but two branches per tree. The Objective Report will also provide the weight, size and grade of the average almond sample broken down by growing region – no longer growing district – and variety.

    USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions, and thanks all farm operators, owners and management entities for their time in providing the information necessary to create these reports. These reports are the official industry crop estimates. —Article & Featured Image Courtesy of the Almond Board of California

    [1] USDA-NASS. 2020 California Almond Objective Measurement Report. July 2020.

  • Natural Health Benefits Bring Sports Team Ambassadors for American Pistachios

    Pistachios are coming to be the snack of choice for America’s professional football teams. Watch this brief interview with Men’s Health Magazine Nutrition Advisor Mike Rousell as he shares why, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/

  • Survey Reveals Increased Snacking Habits in the ‘New Normal’

    As Americans across the country have been under shelter-in-place orders, many turned to snacking for comfort. A new survey, conducted in May in partnership with California Walnuts and Kelton Global, explores the snacking behaviors of Americans and how they’ve changed since shelter-in-place mandates were implemented. Previous research from California Walnuts has shown that people who eat walnuts love to eat them as a snack, but the new study reveals larger snacking trends and what might stay.

    About one in two Americans (48 percent) confess they are snacking more than before the pandemic began and two in five (40 percent) of those expect to see this behavior continue after the shelter-in-place mandates are lifted. While Americans are mostly torn when it comes to the perfect flavor profile of their snacks, the preference for sweet snacks (57 percent) currently edges out salty (43 percent).

    Comfort is the first priority, with 75 percent of respondents noting that they are not trying to eat healthier snacks than they normally do, and only 20 percent remarking that they wish there were more nutritious snacking options available. As a result, close to a third (31 percent) of American snackers acknowledge that their new snacking behaviors have led to weight gain during the pandemic. Researchshows that walnuts can be part of a healthy diet that doesn’t lead to unwanted weight gain, which means walnuts are an ideal snack that not only satisfies both sweet and savory cravings, but also delivers on nutrition.

    The survey insights indicate that snackers will continue to indulge, suggesting the importance of adding nutrient-rich ingredients to indulgent snacks in order to help maintain a healthy diet. Consumers can easily boost the nutrition of their snacks – whether savory or sweet – by incorporating walnuts into their snacking routine, without feeling like they are missing out. Not only do they pair well with sweet or savory flavors to satisfy any craving, but they also provide nutrients needed to keep you full between meals: 4g protein, 2g fiber and good fats, including 2.5g of essential omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) per 1 oz. serving. Walnuts are the only nut that are an excellent source of ALA, which has been associated with benefits for heart health, brain health and inflammation.

    Whether Americans are working an essential job, attending back-to-back virtual meetings, setting up online learning for their children or a combination of all, a handful of walnuts is a simple snack that can fuel any activity.

    Additional survey results regarding snacking behavior changes include:

    • Americans are exploring new options: Two in five (40 percent) American snackers stock up on snacks so they don’t have shop as frequently and about a quarter (23 percent) report that they have tried some new snacks since sheltering in place.
    • Snacking is a source of comfort: 33 percent of snacking Americans state they’ve found comfort in their favorite snacks since sheltering in place.To learn more about how walnuts are great for any snacking style, visit the California Walnuts snacking page at www.walnuts.org/snacking.

      About the Survey: The study surveyed 1,004 nationally representative Americans age 18+ in the U.S., and was conducted online from May 4 through May 7, 2020.

      The study has a margin of error of+/- 3.1%. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.

      In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percent, from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all personas in the universe represented by the sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be slightly higher.

      Kelton Global is a leading global insights firm serving as a partner to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and thousands of smaller companies and organizations. For more information about Kelton Global please call 1.888.8.KELTON or visit www.keltonglobal.com.

      California Walnut Board 
      The California Walnut Board (CWB) was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California.  The CWB is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The CWB promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs. The CWB also provides funding for walnut production, food safety and post-harvest research.

  • Three Ways to Prevent Almond Hull Rot

    As almond growers in California prepare for hull split, almond hull rot is often a problem on their minds during this time. As UC Cooperative Extension Orchard Systems Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer says, prevention is key.  Watch this brief interview with Franz as he shares three tips on avoiding this costly issue in the orchard, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/